Stellar velocity dispersion of luminous compact galaxies at intermediate redshift

Abstract

We present the stellar velocity dispersion measurements for five luminous compact galaxies (LCGs) at z= 0.5-0.7. These galaxies are vigorously forming stars with an average star formation rate of ∼40M ⊙ yr -1. We find that their velocity dispersions range from ∼137 to 260kms -1, while their stellar masses range from 4 × 10 9 to 10 11M ⊙. If these LCGs evolve passively after this major burst of star formation, their masses and velocity dispersions, as well as their evolved colours and luminosities, are most consistent with the values characteristic of early-type spiral galaxies today. © 2011 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2011 RAS.